Many owners of inflatable boats face a dilemma: drag a heavy cockpit in the trunk, occupying the entire volume, or find a more rational solution. Transportation of a PVC boat The trailer is not just a convenience, but also a way to extend the life of the engine and the boat itself, eliminating the constant drag of heavy loads. The right logistics allows you to focus on fishing or rest, without wasting energy on loading and unloading at the very edge of the water.
Unlike rigid housings, inflatable models have flexibility, which dictates special requirements for their placement on the platform. It is not enough to simply tie the cylinders with a rope, because when you move at speeds of the highway, you have an aerodynamic load that can displace the load. In this article, we will discuss all the subtleties of preparation, selection of attachments and legal regulations, so that your path to the reservoir was safe and calm.
Legal aspects and requirements of the traffic police
Before you start converting a trailer or buying lodgings, you need to clearly understand what the law says. Road traffic accidents Due to poor fastening of the cargo happens often, and the fines for this are issued serious. According to traffic rules, the cargo should not protrude beyond the dimensions of the vehicle more than 0.4 meters in width and 1 meter in rear, unless special signs are installed.
You should pay special attention to lighting devices. flyboat When assembled, it covers the rear lights of the trailer or car, you must install additional lighting equipment, a requirement that many fishermen ignore, risking a fine and creating an emergency situation in the dark or in poor visibility.
⚠️ Attention: The maximum permissible mass of a category B trailer shall not exceed 3,500 kg and the mass of an unbraked trailer in running order shall not exceed 750 kg.
Speed limits should also be kept in mind: When towing a trailer, the speed in built-up areas should not exceed 60 km/h, and on country roads - 90 km/h (or 70 km/h for some categories), neglecting these rules increases the risk of skidding, especially if the center of gravity is misaligned.
Selection and preparation of the trailer
The trailer is the basis for safe transportation. For PVC boats, models with a flat bottom or V-shaped profile are ideal, but without sharp angles that can damage the cylinders. The metal frame must be cleaned of rust and dirt, since the abrasive particles work like sandpaper when vibrating, rubbing the PVC fabric.
The most important element is fixationStandard boards often prevent the boat from being laid low, creating sailing. Many owners dismantle the sides completely or use special removable structures. If you plan to transport the boat in an inflated state, make sure that the width of the trailer allows you to place the cylinders without excessive hanging.
- 🚛 Load capacity: Always check the passport details of the trailer; the total weight of the boat, engine and equipment should not exceed the permissible limit.
- 🔩 Fixtures: Use only certified screed straps with a ratchet mechanism, regular ropes may loosen in the way.
- 🛡️ Defense: The contact points of the metal with the boat should be covered with soft material, such as felt or special rubber.
Do not forget about the breather and the coupling device. Luft in the coupling lock is unacceptable, as it is transmitted to the entire structure and can lead to loosening of the boat mounts. Before each departure, check the reliability of the connection of the trailer with the car porch.
Lubricate the coupling device of the trailer with graphite lubricant before each trip - this will prevent jamming of the mechanism and facilitate coupling with the farcope ball.
Preparation of the boat for transportation
There are two main modes of transportation: deflated in a case and inflated on a keel. The first option is safer for the material, but requires time to assemble and disassemble on site. The second option saves time, but imposes increased requirements on the reliability of the mounts and the condition of the boat itself.
If you choose to transport inflated form, the pressure in the cylinders should be strictly according to the instructions, usually it is the same. 0.25-0.3 barA pumped boat in the sun can burst due to thermal expansion of air, and a poorly pumped boat can deform under the influence of wind, the transom knot must be securely fixed so that the engine does not dangle.
Be sure to remove all loose objects from the cockpit: Buckets, gear drawers and gas tanks must be unloaded or rigidly fixed inside the boat, otherwise, with sharp braking, they can break through the bottom or fly out onto the road.
| Parameter | The boat was launched. | Inflated boat |
|---|---|---|
| Time for preparation | 20-40 minutes. | 5-10 minutes |
| Risk of damage | Minimum | Medium (friction, punctures) |
| Sailing | Missing. | High. |
| Facility of loading | It takes effort. | Easy (keeling) |
Do I need to take air off the road?
If you are carrying a boat in hot weather over long distances, it is recommended to slightly draw pressure (by 10-15%) to compensate for the expansion of air from heating by the sun.
Instructions for stowage and fixation of cargo
The laying process starts with cleaning the platform, and you put a protective material on the frame, a thick tarp, carpet, or special mats of foamed polyethylene, which creates a layer between the metal and the bottom of the boat, and the boat is placed in the center of the trailer axis to ensure proper weighting.
At least four anchorage points are used to fix the belts: two in the bow and two in the transom area; the belts should not touch the sharp edges or pass through the valves; the tension should be uniform: the boat should not walk, but excessive pressure can deform the cylinders.
☑️ Checklist before departure
Pay special attention to the transom. The motor, if it stays on the boat, creates a significant lever. It is recommended to use an additional vertical rack or a backup under the deadwell to relieve the load from the transcribed board. If the motor is removed, the transom still needs to be fixed with belts to the frame of the trailer.
⚠️ Warning: Never fasten belts directly to the handles for carrying the boat - they are not designed for such loads and can break off in transit, leaving the cargo without fixation.
Traffic nuances and road safety
Trailer driving is very different from normal driving, increasing the braking distance, changing the dynamics of acceleration and the behavior of the car in corners. Aerodynamic resistance The inflated boat is big, so the side wind becomes a serious enemy, and when the wind gusts, you should slow down and keep the steering wheel tighter.
Reversing requires skill: the trailer turns the opposite direction from the car's wheels. Training on empty areas to feel the dimensions. Also remember that many cars have speed and maneuver limits when reversing with the trailer.
- 👀 Control: Stop every 50-70 km to check the tension of the belts and the condition of the cargo.
- 🛣️ Distance: Increase the distance to the car in front of you at least one and a half times.
- 🔄 Turns: Place wider arcs in the corners so that the trailer does not touch the curb or the curb.
In rain or fog, visibility decreases and traction deteriorates, and in such conditions, the speed should be lower than the permitted speed for this type of road, and remember that you drive a road train, and the inertia is much higher than that of a single car.
The main safety rule: if you feel the instability of the trailer ("waft"), you can not sharply brake or twist the steering wheel - you need to smoothly reduce the speed by releasing gas.
Post-season maintenance and storage
After the navigation is over, the trailer requires care as much as the car. Metal elements need to be washed from salt (if you have been swimming on the sea) or dirt, dry and lubricate the moving parts. Rubber lighting seals often crack, they are better replaced before the winter parking lot.
If the boat is stored on a trailer, it needs to be properly preserved. Even when deflated, PVC is afraid of UV light. Use a waterproof awning, but provide ventilation to avoid condensation and mold inside the case.
If you can't, you can put a trailer in a canopy or in a garage, and if you can't, you can put a breathable material on it, and when you leave it out, it can corrode quickly, especially in welds and attachments.
Can I drive a boat without registering a trailer?
No, any trailers are subject to mandatory registration with the traffic police and must have a license plate. Operation of an unregistered trailer is prohibited and entails a fine, as well as the detention of the vehicle.
Do you need an E-license to carry a boat?
Category "E" is required if the permissible maximum mass of the trailer exceeds 750 kg and the total mass of the vehicle with the trailer exceeds 3,500 kg. For light trailers up to 750 kg, the usual category "B" is sufficient.
How often should you check the tension of the belts?
The first check is required 10-15 km after the start of the movement, then it is recommended to check the mountings at each stop for rest or refueling, as vibration and shrinkage of the material can weaken the fixation.